A look at Missouri's gun legislation

Sep. 11, 2013

Written by

The Associated Press

The Missouri Legislature was considering Wednesday whether to override Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of gun legislation. Here are some of the key parts of the bill:

NULLIFICATION

Declares that all federal laws, regulations and policies “which infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment” to the U.S. Constitution shall be invalid in Missouri. The bill specifically cites the federal gun control acts of 1934 and 1968 as well as any measures that impose fees, tracking or registration requirements on firearms, accessories or ammunition that “could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens.”

CRIMINAL CHARGES

Allows state misdemeanor charges punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine to be to be brought against any federal authorities who attempt to enforce federal gun-control laws that the Missouri measure declares invalid. Similar charges can be brought against anyone who publishes the name, address or other identifying information of a gun owner.

LAWSUITS

Allows Missouri citizens to sue law enforcement officers or agencies for attempting to enforce any of the nullified federal gun-control measures against them.

CONCEALED GUNS

Lowers the age to obtain a concealed gun permit in Missouri to 19 instead of 21. Allows people with concealed gun permits to also openly carry firearms up to 16 inches in long, even in cities with local ordinances prohibiting the open carrying of firearms.

GUNS IN SCHOOL

Allows schools to designate teachers or administrators as school protection officers who are authorized to carry concealed guns after undergoing training.